On Tuesday morning, I went for a run. About two miles into the cruise, I felt a tightening in one of my calves. Almost immediately, I shut down the run straight into a walk.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become much better about listening to my body. Stiffness, soreness, pain: stop. A lot less do I push through like the much stupider, younger version of myself.

I didn’t think I’d strained anything yet, but it was a little sore on Tuesday evening. Wednesday was supposed to be an off day, so I stayed off it. Thanksgiving morning was supposed to be a speed run and I went out to try but with just a couple of steps, I knew there would be no Yassos. Friday was another off day. Saturday, afternoon, I went out for four miles, and it was sore most of the way, but in a good way. Like it was stretching out. Saturday night, though, I could definitely feel it. This morning, nothing but sharper pain with each step, so I turned it off after 20 yards.

What’s surprising to me though is that I don’t seem to have a problem playing pickleball for hours. There’s sprinting in that game and yet the calf doesn’t bark at all! How much of the pain is just in my head, or from wearing different shoes? How much is it that I love playing pickleball much more than going for a long run?

Tomorrow is supposed to be an off day, so we’ll leave it be. But Tuesday … we’ll see how it feels. I have to get my training miles in if I’m going to re-sign for a January marathon.